Action for ME Fundraiser

18 Feb 2006

Saturday 18 February 2006

There was a distinctly cosmopolitan feel to the Action for ME fundraiser at the Berkeley Hotel. Guests included Princess Chantal of Hanover, Debbie and Bolle Bismarck and Texan oil man Greg Smith who cheerfully wielded an enormous cigar and was an instant hit with the ladies. Bob Cathery and his wife Lizzie had dispensed with the usual charity committee and hit the phones themselves to pull in friends and sponsorship for Canaccord Capital Europe. Guests laid into some serious wine to the accompaniment of The Magnets, who mimic the sounds of musical instruments with their voices. Nick Bonham took charge of the auction, selling a £50,000 private-jet trip, a villa holiday in Barbados, chalet accommodation in Meribel - and a day's shooting in Sussex donated by Tim Hoare, who promptly pushed up the bidding and bought it back.